Gaucho Casserole

Name: Gaucho Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 small green pepper, chopped; 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce; 1/4 cup water; 1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1-1/3 cups uncooked instant rice; 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend

"When our daughters graduated from college, my husband and I made recipe books for their closest friends," says Dianne Hennis of King George, Virginia. "This dish was a big hit."

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
1 teaspoon chili powder
1-1/3 cups uncooked instant rice
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend

Directions

Crumble the beef into an ungreased 2-1/2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Add onion and green pepper. Cover and microwave on high for 4-1/2 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, stirring every 2 minutes; drain.
Stir in the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, taco seasoning and chili powder. Cover and microwave on high for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 minutes or until bubbly, stirring every 2 minutes. Stir in rice.
Transfer to a shallow 2-1/2-qt. microwave-safe dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and let stand for 6-8 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and microwave on high for another minute or until cheese is melted.

Editor's Note

This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 304 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 670mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 7g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Gaucho Casserole in Light & Tasty October/November 2002

Reviews

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Average Rating:

MarineMom_texas

Mar 24, 2015

I prepared this delicious casserole last night and we loved it. It is super simple (cooks entirely in the microwave) and is delicious. I used instant brown rice and pinto beans instead of kidney beans. Absolutely delicious. We will have this again. I highly recommend this recipe as a volunteer field editor for Taste of Home.
snwilliamson

Dec 28, 2013

Made this on the stove top instead of the microwave. Used black and pinto beans since that is what I had in the cupboard. Made it twice and the whole family loved it and asked for it again. They call it the homemade hamburger helper dish.
mehalv

Feb 17, 2013

This was a solid recipe that my husband and I liked. I did all steps in a skillet on the stove top.
Fairy1004

May 25, 2012

It was tasty, but I had to use more H2O and then had to bake it for 30 mins to allow the rice to cook. I also used pinto beans instead of kidney beans.
sandcarp

Feb 17, 2012

Quick, Easy, Delicious
Tinaschwab

Sep 10, 2010

Yes, I always substitute brown rice for instant or white rice in recipes. You just have to adjust for more liquid to cook the rice. I added some extra broth to cook the brown rice. It really doesn't need too much extra liquid. This is a yummy recipe, enjoy!
Tinaschwab

Sep 9, 2010

I substituted ground turkey for ground beef. It came out wonderful and my kids really loved it. My boys both said "this one is a keeper".
tfkg92

May 15, 2010

This is a quick and awesome dish. I make it in a skillet and it works out great. In addition to the cheese, I serve with tomatoes, black olives, sour cream and shredded lettuce for everyone to top as they like!
habershamway

Nov 3, 2009

DELICIOUS!!! EASY RECIPE--A DEFINITE "KEEPER!"
Joscy

Sep 2, 2009

We do not care for instant rice, so can long grain 'regular' rice be used in place of instant?